Browning Love?

[BryceM]

I like their stuff, mostly. I have some pistols that are fantastic. An old pair of Browning 2000 shotguns are just OK, a SA-22 that is fun enough. The 20 ga Citori is a nice shotgun.

Really though, I love this Browning Safari rifle in .375 H&H that I inherited. It's begging to be used for something. The action is butter-smooth. Under 1 MOA at 100 too with 250 gr TTSX. Yeah, the stock is a little glossy for my taste, but at least it's not a salt gun.

Probably the 300 gr TSX is a better option for Africa. I'll see if it likes those soon.

 

[HookMeUpII]

I’ve been contemplating one of the .375 Medallions like you purchased.

Mine just arrived at the FFL. I am very eager to finally get a chance to hold it and see how the the 375HH barreling feels over all. The long-magnum action is very standard in them these days but I'm curious to see how the balance is. The 375HH looks to be a much heavier barrel.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Mine just arrived at the FFL. I am very eager to finally get a chance to hold it and see how the the 375HH barreling feels over all. The long-magnum action is very standard in them these days but I'm curious to see how the balance is. The 375HH looks to be a much heavier barrel.

It is a large bore rifle so bound to have a heavier looking barrel (bigger hole inside). Anyway, a heavier contour in a heavy recoiling rifle is not a bad thing. A little extra weight can mean a lot less felt recoil. Looking forward to photos.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

For any who are contemplating getting rid of that thick glossy finish on their stocks, I'll offer this advice: Start by chipping/scraping off most of the finish. I'm almost 100% certain Browning uses an acrylic lacquer finish. Quick to apply (sprayed on) and dries very quickly which minimizes dust control issues. But that stuff is a b*tch to remove with chemical stripper! I use a dull knife blade and drag it across the finish. The stuff is fairly brittle and usually chips up. Wear safety goggles because the chips can be painful and difficult to remove if one gets in your eye. Ask me how I know! Once most of the finish has been scraped off, go after the rest with stripper. It can take several coats of stripper before the finish stops absorbing it. Paint it on with a HAIR bristle brush. Stripper can dissolve synthetic bristles. Use a dull metal putty knife to scrape off excess stripper. Then go after the rest with water and a brass bristle wire brush. It may take several attempts before the finish is entirely gone. Then use fine sandpaper to remove remaining spots and steel wool to knock off the "fuzz" from raised grain caused by scrubbing with water. Instructions on the stripper can may say to rinse with mineral spirits. Doesn't work! Stripper will reside in the grain and react with newly applied finish. Warning: the stripper reacts with water and produces noxious gas. Scrub with water in a well ventilated area and use a chemical respirator if you can get one. The gas dissipates very quickly.

 

[375er]

Mine just arrived at the FFL. I am very eager to finally get a chance to hold it and see how the the 375HH barreling feels over all. The long-magnum action is very standard in them these days but I'm curious to see how the balance is. The 375HH looks to be a much heavier barrel.

I have had one for nearly 35 years and it is one of my favorite hunting rifles. Let us know how you like it.

 

[OxfordTheCat]

The only Brownings I have handled were across the counter at Bass Pro, and both handled like there was sand in the action. Maybe ten years ago?

I'm not sure if that would be the A bolt or the X bolt in BP at that time.
Wasn't a strong endorsement.

The Savage there was markedly better.

Both brands cemented my purchasing of CG and Husqvarna mausers instead.

 

[OxfordTheCat]

I'm just now reading through the thread, and the experience is night and day different from the pair I handled.

Bass Pro maybe not cleaning packing grease from the rifles or something? I would not describe them as "smooth handling" at all

 

[HookMeUpII]

The only Brownings I have handled were across the counter at Bass Pro, and both handled like there was sand in the action. Maybe ten years ago?

I'm not sure if that would be the A bolt or the X bolt in BP at that time.
Wasn't a strong endorsement.

The Savage there was markedly better.

Both brands cemented my purchasing of CG and Husqvarna mausers instead.

Definitely not the case with the new X-bolts. The action is like a modern day Lee Enfield .303 if you've ever cycled one of them. Butter smooth. Zero effort to run through the cocking mechanism.

I'm not a Browning fan-boy either. They just make a lot of sensible rifles in their platform right now. They are not as expensive as a Christiansen. Have a better range of options than Winchester (owned by Browning). More caliber offerings than Ruger.

My X-Bolt Speed LR was listed at $1,499. Bass Bro had an end of year sale where it was marked down to $1,299. Then there was another $100 rebate. Pre-tax cost was $1,199 on a $1,499 rifle.

The X-Bolt Medallion 375HH special production I just ordered was $1,199. Browning is running a 10% rebate. $1,199 rifle for $1,080.

They also treat their dealers very well and offer a great customer service.

If they ever come back with a mainstream bigger bore offering, like a 375HH, I think they will get even more traction amongst Africa-focused communities like this. Browning listens to their customers and dealers as well. The dealer I ordered my 375HH from asked them to make it and they sent 60 special order for them.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Mine just arrived at the FFL. I am very eager to finally get a chance to hold it and see how the the 375HH barreling feels over all. The long-magnum action is very standard in them these days but I'm curious to see how the balance is. The 375HH looks to be a much heavier barrel.

Great! Please run some cartridges through it quickly to check the functionality and reliability of ejection. I’m just curious as my .338 A Bolt is flawless but the .375 is obviously a longer cartridge so I’m just wondering? Please let us know. Thanks!

 

[CoElkHunter]

Definitely not the case with the new X-bolts. The action is like a modern day Lee Enfield .303 if you've ever cycled one of them. Butter smooth. Zero effort to run through the cocking mechanism.

I'm not a Browning fan-boy either. They just make a lot of sensible rifles in their platform right now. They are not as expensive as a Christiansen. Have a better range of options than Winchester (owned by Browning). More caliber offerings than Ruger.

My X-Bolt Speed LR was listed at $1,499. Bass Bro had an end of year sale where it was marked down to $1,299. Then there was another $100 rebate. Pre-tax cost was $1,199 on a $1,499 rifle.

The X-Bolt Medallion 375HH special production I just ordered was $1,199. Browning is running a 10% rebate. $1,199 rifle for $1,080.

They also treat their dealers very well and offer a great customer service.

If they ever come back with a mainstream bigger bore offering, like a 375HH, I think they will get even more traction amongst Africa-focused communities like this. Browning listens to their customers and dealers as well. The dealer I ordered my 375HH from asked them to make it and they sent 60 special order for them.

Hopefully they’ll special order the Medallions in .338WM. Browning stopped their standard chamberings in .338 and .375 a couple/three years ago per one of their reps I spoke with awhile back.

 

[HookMeUpII]

Great! Please run some cartridges through it quickly to check the functionality and reliability of ejection. I’m just curious as my .338 A Bolt is flawless but the .375 is obviously a longer cartridge so I’m just wondering? Please let us know. Thanks!

God willing. It doesn't have irons so I unfortunately need to pick some glass for it or have irons installed.

I would think the 375HH shouldn't be too bad, being similar to a 300WM. Length difference, being just a bit more.

Interested to see how the overall accuracy and platform holds up. I'd prefer a horizontal lug setup and X-bolt is obviously vertical.